Single-use genderless aseptic fluid couplings

Abstract

Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems. For example, some embodiments described in this document are single-use, aseptic fluid coupling devices that can be coupled to create a sterile flow path therethrough. Some such aseptic couplings are genderless couplings such that two identical aseptic couplings can be coupled together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An aseptic fluid coupling comprising:
 a main body defining a longitudinal axis and a bore, the main body comprising:
 a front face; 
 a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body in comparison to the front face; 
 an alignment post; and 
 an alignment guide defining internal space configured to slidably receive an alignment post of another aseptic fluid coupling when two of the aseptic fluid couplings are mated together; 
 
 a seal member having a width along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end of the seal member, the seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis; and 
 a flexible membrane including a portion attached to the front face around the seal member to block contaminants from entering a fluid flow path, the membrane also including a tail end portion that is at an opposite end of the membrane in comparison to the portion attached to the front face, 
 wherein the fluid flow path is defined through the aseptic fluid coupling, 
 wherein a portion of the fluid flow path is defined by the seal member along an entirety of the width of the seal member, 
 wherein the alignment post and the alignment guide each include attachment features whereby the alignment post latches with an engaged alignment guide and the alignment guide latches with an engaged alignment post, and 
 wherein the attachment features of the alignment guide includes at least one flexible latch member. 
 
     
     
       2. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment post extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       3. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is porous such that air can pass through the membrane. 
     
     
       4. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment features of the alignment post includes at least one groove. 
     
     
       5. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a termination member that includes the termination, and wherein the termination member extends into the bore. 
     
     
       6. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 5 , wherein the termination member snaps into engagement with other portions of the main body. 
     
     
       7. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 6 , wherein the termination member is rotatable about the longitudinal axis in relation to the other portions of the main body. 
     
     
       8. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 6 , further comprising a seal disposed between the termination member and the other portions of the main body. 
     
     
       9. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 5 , wherein the termination member defines a portion of the fluid flow path. 
     
     
       10. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 5 , wherein the termination member abuts against the seal member within the bore. 
     
     
       11. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover that is releasably engageable with the main body. 
     
     
       12. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein the protective cover presses two layers of the membrane against the seal member while the protective cover is engaged with the main body. 
     
     
       13. The aseptic fluid coupling of  claim 11 , wherein the protective cover defines an opening aligned with the longitudinal axis while the protective cover is engaged with the main body.